BYU, SDSU renew rivalry in Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego 
Rocky Long and Bronco Mendenhall will leave it to the fans to get all worked up about the revival of the BYU-San Diego State rivalry.

Just two years after a botched review of an apparent fumble tainted what appeared to be the final game between the schools, the Cougars (7-5) and Aztecs (9-3) will meet in the Poinsettia Bowl on Thursday night at San Diego State's home stadium, Qualcomm.

As much as SDSU fans loved to hate the Cougars during their rivalry in the Western Athletic Conference and then the Mountain West Conference, they really howled in 2010.

In an episode known as "Replaygate," BYU running back JJ Di Luigi fumbled against the Aztecs in Provo and San Diego State coach Brady Hoke asked for a review. Officials ruled there was not enough evidence to rule it a fumble. BYU scored five plays later en route to a 24-21 victory.

Six days later, Mountain West Conference athletic directors decided to ban employees or alumni of the host school from serving in the communicator position in the instant replay booth. The three replay officials reportedly were suspended for one game.

SDSU fans didn't get over it, even though BYU bailed from the MWC to become independent in football. SDSU, which has won seven straight games, will leave the league after this season for the Big East in football only.

Still, Long and Mendenhall - who worked together on New Mexico's staff for five seasons - aren't interested in rehashing it.

"Oh yeah, it's ancient history," said Long, who was SDSU's defensive coordinator that day and was elevated to head coach after Hoke left for Michigan following that season. "I don't worry about the fans. I only worry about the 100 guys we've got on the team."

Said Mendenhall: "I've already been asked that a number of times, with people saying this is a giant rivalry game and there's a vendetta, etc. Again, being at BYU I've learned there are a lot of axes to grind. I don't even remember the game, to be honest with you. I know Rocky's team will be ready to play. Hopefully, I can get our team ready as well. That's really what my focus is on."

BYU leads the series 27-7-1 and has won five straight against the Aztecs.

Then there's the familiarity Long and Mendenhall have with each other. When Long was head coach at New Mexico, Mendenhall was his defensive coordinator from 1998-2002. Mendenhall also was defensive line coach at Oregon State in 1995 when Long was defensive coordinator.

"I don't think it makes a darn bit of difference," said Long, who led the Aztecs to a share of the MWC title with Fresno State and Boise State. "Bronco and I are friends and we know each other very, very well. But Bronco's not making one tackle, he's not catching one pass. Guess what? He's not calling probably one offensive play. I'm not making a tackle. I'm not carrying the ball. I'm not calling one offensive play.